UEFA Champions League last 16 draw resulted in exact repeat of rehearsal

By Enis Koylu

The same eight ties were pulled out of the hat in Wednesday's dry run in a bizarre twist of fate, including Real Madrid-Manchester United and AC Milan-Barcelona.

The UEFA Champions League draw for the last 16 has seen the same teams pitted against one another as Wednesday's rehearsal.

The draw, conducted by UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino in Nyon, Switzerland, conjured up mouthwatering ties such as Real Madrid-Manchester United and AC Milan-Barcelona. It also had an air of familiarity to it, as Wednesday's mock-up produced the same eight ties, with Bayern Munich also facing Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund playing Shakhtar Donetsk.

The first leg of the last 16 will be played on February 12, 13, 19 or 20, with the reverse ties on March 5, 6, 19 or 20.